Streaking: The Patriots have a nine-game regular-season winning streak and have won nine home openers in a row, and QB Tom Brady has won a record 28 consecutive regular-season home games.

Reputation building: The Chargers want to create more offensive balance and be more physical, and no better time to assert both principles than on the road against a Patriots attack capable of wearing down any defense. RBs Mike Tolbert and Ryan Mathews combined for 36 touches last weekend. If they can approach that number, it will create more one-on-one situations for the wideouts downfield, where the Chargers will enjoy big mismatches.

Soften the underbelly: Brady is effectively using TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez to attack the seams and underneath routes, creating more single coverage against his wide receivers. The Chargers are counting on DEs Vaughn Martin and Corey Liuget to take over for injured Luis Castillo on the right side.

Need to know: Chargers TE Antonio Gates needs five receptions to pass Kellen Winslow (541) for second most in franchise history behind Charlie Joiner's 586. … Patriots RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis' 14 rushing touchdowns since the start of last season is second in the NFL behind Arian Foster's 16.

Game plan: The Steelers are 6-0 at home in September under coach Mike Tomlin and are focusing on fundamentals after committing seven turnovers last weekend. QB Ben Roethlisberger accounted for five and will have a chance at redemption with the Seahawks far stronger against the run and lacking an elite pass rush. Seattle's young offensive line played much better in the second half last weekend, but Pittsburgh's front seven will create confusion in blocking assignments.

Need to know:Bill Leavy, the referee who admitted missing multiple calls in Super Bowl XL between these teams, will work Sunday's game. … The Seahawks are 1-10 in the Eastern time zone since 2007, with the losses coming by an average of 15.4 points.

Game plan: Buffalo jumped out in front of another strong running team last weekend in Kansas City and prevented the Chiefs from testing the 32nd-ranked run defense of 2010. Oakland likes to impose its will on opponents and will pound RBs Darren McFadden and Michael Bush as long as the score is close. Defensively, the Raiders will rotate up front and consistently push the Bills offensive line. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has a firm grasp on coach Chan Gailey's system and now has big-play weapons to counter over-aggressive defenses.

Need to know: The Raiders play AFC East teams the next three weeks. … Bills WR Stevie Johnson has 11 touchdown catches in his last 15 games.

Game plan: Redskins RB Tim Hightower says he needs to be more patient and allow cut-back lanes to develop when he takes the field against his former team. QB Rex Grossman could be in store for a second consecutive strong outing against Arizona's injury-thinned secondary. The Cardinals need to establish RB Chris "Beanie" Wells early to protect that defense on the road. WR Larry Fitzgerald was double-teamed for most the opener, so look for him to be put in motion more this week.

Need to know: The Cardinals had three completions of 40-plus yards last season; they had two last weekend. … The Redskins are 7-0 against the Cardinals since November 2000.

Game plan: RB Adrian Peterson wants more touches, which requires Minnesota to sustain more drives. The offensive line struggled with protection last weekend, leaving quarterback Donovan McNabb under constant duress. Look for offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave to mix in more passes on first and second downs and get the tight ends more involved in the passing game. The lack of a running game has been a growing concern for Tampa Bay since the preseason. The Buccaneers need to give RB LeGarrette Blount a legitimate chance to get untracked and help set up play-action.

Need to know: Bucs QB Josh Freeman has a 103.1 passer rating in five career starts indoors. … The Vikings lined up with two tight ends on 76.7% of their snaps last week; none caught a pass.

Game plan: The Jaguars acquired S Dwight Lowery from the Jets on Sept. 3, and they'll pump him for information. But New York's approach isn't difficult to decode, and it's very similar to Jacksonville's — use the power ground game to set up the pass. The issue for the Jaguars could be creating running lanes for Maurice Jones-Drew, and picking up the correct blocking assignments is always critical against Rex Ryan's defense. The Jaguars lack a dynamic passing attack, but, like the Jets' Mark Sanchez, Luke McCown will be asked first and foremost to not lose the game.

Need to know: The Jags are 8-1 since the start of last season when Jones-Drew rushes for 90-plus yards. … Jets RBs Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson each had 11 touches in Week 1.

Game plan: It will be a battle of wills, with New Orleans' penchant for stretching the field going up against a Chicago defense that doesn't blitz often and focuses on keeping completions in front of its defensive backs. The Saints will be without WR Marques Colston (broken collarbone) but hope to get Lance Moore (groin) back. The Bears came out throwing last week, with QB Jay Cutler completing passes to nine receivers. With the Saints having coverage issues, it could be another week until the Bears rededicate themselves to the ground game.

Need to know: Chicago's first three opponents this season won a combined 34 regular-season games in 2010. … RB Darren Sproles had 250all-purpose yards in his New Orleans debut.

Game plan: The Packers admittedly were impressed with Panthers QB Cam Newton's record-breaking debut last week. But the rookie quarterback has never seen the defensive speed or schemes Green Bay will throw at him under coordinator Dom Capers. It's imperative that Carolina get RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart involved to keep the game within reach. This is another excellent matchup for Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. If the Panthers can't get to him with the blitz, Rodgers will dissect a secondary that suffered a few breakdowns last weekend.

Need to know: Green Bay is 5-0 in road openers under coach Mike McCarthy. … Carolina had 477total yards from scrimmage last week.

Game plan: The Titans had six three-and-outs, and RB Chris Johnson had 15 touches in 11possessions last week. Both figures must improve for Tennessee to be competitive. QB Matt Hasselbeck has developed quick chemistry with WR Kenny Britt, but the Titans lack other big weapons in the passing game and can't afford to be one-dimensional against the Ravens. Baltimore's offense stretched the field vertically in Week 1, and the offensive line appears to be stronger with the addition of LT Bryant McKinnie.

Need to know: The Ravens are 18-1 against teams with a losing record under coach Jim Harbaugh. … Hasselbeck needs 158 passing yards to reach 30,000 for his career.

Game plan: Kansas City fell behind quickly last weekend and was unable to establish the ground game. The Lions can rack up points in a hurry, so the Chiefs can't afford to stumble again. As long as the Chiefs have the threat of the run, they can keep the Lions front line from pinning its ears back and coming after QB Matt Cassel. Detroit QB Matthew Stafford averaged 9.2 yards a completion last week, while Kansas City gave up 12.2 to the Bills.

Game plan: The Browns need to get the ball into the hands of RB Peyton Hillis to attack a Colts front seven likely to be minus LBs Gary Brackett and Ernie Sims. That also will keep QB Colt McCoy from facing Indianapolis' strong pass rush in dangerous situations. The Colts want to get into the flow of the game after self-destructing early last week. QBKerry Collins must protect the ball, and the Colts should get RB Joseph Addai early touches.

Need to know: Hillis' 67-catch total since the start of 2010 is tied for second among NFL running backs behind the Philadelphia Eagles' LeSean McCoy (80).

Game plan: 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh has stood behind QB Alex Smith, and the seventh-year player will get an opportunity to attack a beaten-up secondary. RB Frank Gore is the centerpiece of the offense, but the New York Jets averaged 2.8 yards a carry against Dallas in Week 1. Cowboys QB Tony Romo made a pair of critical mistakes late against the Jets, but he also was constantly flushed out of the pocket behind a young offensive line.

Need to know: The Cowboys are trying to avoid going 0-2 in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2000-01.

Game plan: The Bengals expect rookie QB Andy Dalton to play through a wrist injury, but RB Cedric Benson needs to be the focal point. While the Broncos have an athletic group of pass rushers, they have allowed eight 100-yard rushers since last Oct. 24. Denver QB Kyle Orton needs a fast start to avoid hearing Tim Tebow chants at home for the second consecutive week.

Need to know: Broncos WR-PR Eric Decker had 181 total yards last week.

Game plan: Things don't get easier for Miami's secondary with QB Matt Schaub coming to town after the Dolphins gave up 517 passing yards to Tom Brady. Houston isn't quite as explosive in the passing game but is far more balanced and expects to get RB Arian Foster (hamstring) back in the lineup. Dolphins QB Chad Henne is coming off a strong outing, and the Texans had the league's worst pass defense last season. Regardless, Miami must get RB Reggie Bush plenty of touches.

Game plan: Eagles QB Michael Vick returns to Atlanta as a starter for the first time. After watching Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler complete passes to nine receivers last week, the Falcons have to be concerned about Vick's athleticism and arsenal of playmakers. Philadelphia can rush the passer and has a strong secondary, but run defense remains a question mark. Atlanta needs to get RB Michael Turner running hard between the tackles early.

Game plan: Rams QB Sam Bradford (finger) will play, but RB Steven Jackson could be sidelined by a quadriceps injury. Backup Carnell "Cadillac" Williams produced 150 total yards last weekend and is an excellent receiver out of the backfield. A formidable ground game is important with the Giants hopeful DEJustin Tuck (neck) can return and ratchet up the pass rush. New York's revamped offensive line struggled last week, and St. Louis will aggressively pressure the gaps. The Giants expect to have WRHakeem Nicks (knee) in the lineup.

Need to know: Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo was the Giants defensive coordinator in 2007 and '08.